Those Were Good Times

(This is a re-print from one of the past Cozy Critiques.)

It was a dark and stormy afternoon. Rain beat against the deck. Lightning flashed and thunder rattled the windows. Within the dining room, four women sat around an antique dining table, sipping coffee and munching chocolate. They spoke in hushed voices, almost as if they were afraid they would be overheard although they were the only ones in the house. I hesitate to tell you: they were discussing murder.

“The dog brought a piece of clothing from the dead body,” said one.

“Who was murdered?” asked another. “You’ve got to have a murder victim.”

One of the women sat quietly, looking from one guest to another. “It’s like this,” she said, “there was a long ago killing, but it’s not who you would expect it to be. It was tied to a recent crime and there’s somebody in town who does not want the real culprit known. He’ll not stop at anything to keep his secret.”

Lightning sizzled again and a tremendous clap of thunder jarred the dining table. One of the women jumped and yelped while the others giggled nervously.

But, enough was enough, and, after all, the Cozy Critters were here to critique.

To change the tone of our meeting, Jane read a delightful poem, Jackie the Jack Rabbit. This was a children’s story based on an actual happening. When her mother, Ethel Audine, was a little girl, she found a baby jack rabbit, took it home, and raised it as a pet. She loved the rabbit and the rabbit loved her. It’s unusual to be able to domesticate a wild animal, but Ethel Audine did. This is one of those stories that will be passed from generation to generation in Jane’s family.

Nancy submitted three devotionals which will appear in a book soon to be released by Just Between Us Magazine. She recently sent another devotional to the magazine of the same name. This article concerned tips on stress management. After the murderous discussion and thunderbolts hurtling from storm clouds, we appreciated ideas on how to calm our frazzled nerves.

Peg likes a varied book menu. She has been reading a lot and is looking forward to some new literary tidbits. Her appetite is whetted for The Hammett Hex by Victoria Abbott and Paws and Effect by Sophie Kelly.

I have just finished reading Carolyn Hart’s newest cozy mystery, Ghost Times Two. Currently, I’m reading Lord Harrington and the Autumn Mystery by Lynn Florkiewicz.

Another impromptu book signing party happened a couple of days ago when a friend dropped in and bought three copies of Grave Heritage; two to give as Christmas gifts, and one for herself. We also had cake to top it off. Now, how’s that for a celebration? (Actually, it was a birthday cake for her little girl and she shared it with me.) I feel especially honored that she will actually read my mysteries. The first one, The Cemetery Club, scared her so badly, she had a hard time sleeping!

Armed with all the murderous ideas from Peg, Jane, and Nancy, I felt inspired to hop right over my writer’s block and confront Fright of the Silvery Moon. A dark and stormy afternoon, replete with coffee, chocolate, warm conversation, and good friends is a perfect impetus for writing the scariest, most intriguing, riveting mystery of the month!